Hi,
Does anyone know of a guide or someone that may be able to organise a motorbike & guide in Attapeau? I want to go from Attapeau to Tad Lo and would prefer by bike so I can stop off along the way. I am travelling overland from Vietnam through to Pakse and want to avoid needing to double back around on a loop if possible.
Thanks
When we were staying in Attapeu three years ao, there was a Lao Tourist Office, and at this office we met a sweet man who knew English (and arranged a driver/vehicle). [We were a family with kids so motorbikes did not make sense.] Our visit to Pa'am and a Lawae village were very competently done.
I cannot remember his name, but we've found the Lao Tourist Offices in the Provincial capitals (Attapeu as well as Sekong, Salavan, Xam Neua, Phongsali, etc.) to be pretty decent at getting services. [OK - the one in Salavan had no one in the office who spoke a word of English...) Do not expect to find others to share costs, however, and expect to pay the going reasonable rates ($25-30/day + all expenses; more for overnights). Homestays can sometimes be arranged in these offices, if they are locally available.
I will highly recommend to all travelers that go "off the main tourist route" to get a local guide/translator. It allows us to ask questions and share words with everyone we meet, as well as offers a knowledgeable contact who lives with local community? Because of guides we've attended local hilltribe funerals, weddings, and healings. We've shared meals with elders and shaman, weavers and jewelers, monks and blacksmiths - all because our local guide knew these people personally and knew how to approach them with inquisitive tourists (us). Excellent value if you've got a little stretch on the basic budget.